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Arab states demand that Qatar close Al Jazeera news network

Four of the Arab states involved in the boycott of Qatar have sent a list of demands to the count...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

12.03 23 Jun 2017


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Arab states demand that Qatar...

Arab states demand that Qatar close Al Jazeera news network

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

12.03 23 Jun 2017


Share this article


Four of the Arab states involved in the boycott of Qatar have sent a list of demands to the country.

The 13-point list includes calls for the closure of the state-funded Al Jazeera news network, the scaling down of diplomatic ties with Iran, payment of "reparations and compensation", and the severing of all ties to "terrorist, sectarian and ideological organisations".

Reuters reports that the list was compiled by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain.

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The full list of demands - which has been published in full by Al Jazeera itself - also asks to country to "end interference in sovereign countries' internal affairs" and "align itself with the other Gulf and Arab countries militarily, politically, socially and economically".

The Qatari government has been asked to agree to the demands within 10 days.

It has been two weeks since countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar.

The blockade has had many major impacts for Qatar, including essential trade being cut off and many flights suspended.

A number of reasons have been cited for the blockade - including Qatar's relations with Iran; Arab states' concerns over the Doha-based Al Jazeera news station; and the Qatari state's alleged support of terrorist and extremist groups.

Qatar has slammed the blockade as an "illegal siege" based on "false allegations on financing of terrorism".

In a press conference yesterday, US state department spokesperson Heather Nauert said they believe the ongoing dispute "can be resolved with the parties themselves".

She added: "We have asked, and we’re optimistic, that what will be on this list will be reasonable and actionable demands that the Qataris will receive."


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